At Bonhams Prints & Multiples sale in Knightsbridge on 19th September 2019 an exclusive selection of 12 unique prints especially created by The Connor Brothers raised £100,000 funds for the mental health CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably). The twelve donated prints represent the twelve men who take their own lives every day in the UK.
The sale achieved several world auction records for the works by The Connor Brothers. The star lot "Every Saint Has A Past And Every Sinner A Future", was sold for £25,062 against an estimate of £500-700.
Bonhams Director of Prints & Multiples at Knightsbridge, Carolin von Massenbach said, "We are immensely proud that we had the chance to team up with The Connor Brothers, such influential figures of the Contemporary Art scene, raising more than £100,000 hammer for CALM – not only making auction history for the artists but more importantly raising significant funds for a life-saving cause."
The Connor Brothers said "We are extremely thrilled with the result of the auction and the meaningful impact it will have. CALM does incredible lifesaving work and part of that work is about raising public awareness of mental health and opening up the conversation to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems".
Prior to the sale, Bonhams hosted a special evening event with The Connor Brothers. The event on 16th September attracted nearly 500 guests.
On the night, The Connor Brothers released a limited-edition print which went to the first 30 lucky guests in attendance. Connor Brother fans queued since the early afternoon to obtain their copy. Within minutes the edition sold out, all in aid of CALM.
The Connor Brothers also participated in a panel discussion with the CEO of CALM, Simon Gunning, about mental health, their artistic practice and the importance of CALM – the UK's leading prevention movement for male suicide. The discussion was followed by a live DJ set with the legendary British Garage artist, DJ Spoony.